Make an Exercise Resolution & Make it a Lifestyle!

Everyone seems to like to be motivated, especially when they’re making New Year’s Resolutions, to exercise more. The most common reason for embarking on an exercise program is to lose weight. However, I have found it very interesting that keeping bones strong is a big motivator for many women to make strength training and cardiovascular (heart healthy) exercise a permanent part of their lifestyle.

Besides being great for the bones, here are 10 more reasons to strength train:

1. Increase lean body mass (muscle) quickly, in only 2 strength training sessions per week.
2. Fat loss! With more muscle, your cardiovascular and strength workouts will be more intense, making them a better calorie burning workout.
3. Increases glucose uptake, reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.
4. Great for your heart! Decreases resting blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
5. Helps keep you regular! Increases gastrointestinal transit speed, reducing the risk of colon cancer
6. Strengthens the lumbar spine, reducing the risk of low-back pain.
7. Improved balance because of reactivated motor units, which are groups of muscle fibers attached to a nerve. Strength training basically wakes up these dormant muscles and nerves.
8. Can reduce the pain and debilitating effects of arthritis.
9. Can keep frailty at bay for life…so make it fun, make it social, & you’ll keep it up for life!
10. My favorite reasons: I love that energized, wonderful feeling after a strength training workout.  I can run up the stairs, no problem. I really love it that I’m stronger than I was 20 years ago.

Get inspired with this charming YouTube clip called, “23 & ½ hours: What is the single best thing we can do for our health?” that I sent it out a month ago in an email. My Mom, who is 89, was about to skip her water exercise class that day because she had too much to do, getting ready for Christmas. She was so inspired to exercise after watching it that she went to the pool after all.

I hope that you’re inspired and good luck with your exercise resolutions!…Susie